Lake Sharpe
Lake Sharpe
View of Left Tailrace Campground
Left Tailrace
Left Tailrace playground equipment

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Showers Showers

About Left Tailrace

Left Tailrace Campgound at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Big Bend Project, sits on the shore of Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River below Big Bend Dam. Just upstream of Left Tailrace, Lake Sharpe, a popular recreation destination in the Great Plains,was created by the completion of Big Bend Dam in 1966. Today, approximately 80,000 acres of public lands and water provide a variety of benefits to the public including flood control, recreation, conservation of our natural resources, fish and wildlife habitat, irrigation, and hydropower production. It is possible to view many types of wildlife on the Missouri River at Lake Sharpe. Tribal bison herds can be seen grazing the lake area's grasslands north of the towns of Fort Thompson and Lower Brule. The shoreline areas of the lake also offer excellent waterfowl, upland game birds and big game hunting opportunities. Big game animals include whitetail and mule deer, elk, bison, coyotes and wild turkeys. Waterfowl and upland game birds include ducks, geese, pheasants, prairie chickens, and grouse. Hunting regulations are established and enforced by the State of South Dakota, and the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Tribes. For more information, visit the Big Bend Project website .

Available sites

88 total sites

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Showers Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Showers
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see availability.

88 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 01, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 89 × 12 ft
🚐 02, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 84 × 12 ft
🚐 03, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 76 × 12 ft
🚐 04, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 76 × 12 ft
🚐 05, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 74 × 12 ft
🚐 06, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 76 × 12 ft
🚐 07, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 79 × 12 ft
🚐 08, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 80 × 12 ft
🚐 09, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 80 × 12 ft
🚐 10, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 77 × 12 ft
🚐 11, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 77 × 12 ft
🚐 12, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 71 × 12 ft
🚐 14A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 51 × 12 ft
🚐 14B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 50 × 12 ft
🚐 15A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 55 × 12 ft
🚐 15B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 63 × 12 ft
🚐 16A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 57 × 12 ft
🚐 16B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 50 × 12 ft
🚐 17A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 60 × 12 ft
🚐 17B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 53 × 12 ft
🚐 18A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 65 × 12 ft
🚐 18B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 53 × 12 ft
🚐 19A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 67 × 12 ft
🚐 19B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 57 × 12 ft
🚐 20A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 55 × 12 ft
🚐 20B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 64 × 12 ft
🚐 21A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 54 × 12 ft
🚐 21B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 62 × 12 ft
🚐 22A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 54 × 12 ft
🚐 22B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 60 × 12 ft
🚐 23, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 84 × 12 ft
🚐 24, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 85 × 12 ft
🚐 25, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 75 × 12 ft
🚐 26, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 84 × 12 ft
🚐 27, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 80 × 12 ft
🚐 28, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 84 × 12 ft
🚐 29, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 85 × 12 ft
🚐 30, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 85 × 12 ft
🚐 31, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 83 × 12 ft
🚐 32, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 84 × 12 ft
🚐 33, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 75 × 12 ft
🚐 34, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 77 × 12 ft
🚐 35, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 78 × 12 ft
🚐 36, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 77 × 12 ft
🚐 37, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 77 × 12 ft
🚐 38, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 79 × 12 ft
🚐 41, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 73 × 12 ft
🚐 44, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 47 × 12 ft
🚐 45, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 55 × 12 ft
🚐 46, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 54 × 12 ft
🚐 47, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 56 × 12 ft
🚐 48, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 56 × 12 ft
🚐 49, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 60 × 12 ft
🚐 50, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 59 × 12 ft
🚐 51, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 58 × 12 ft
🚐 52, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 56 × 12 ft
🚐 53, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 52 × 12 ft
🚐 54, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 56 × 12 ft
🚐 55, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 52 × 12 ft
🚐 56, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 54 × 12 ft
🚐 57, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 51 × 12 ft
🚐 58, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 48 × 12 ft
🚐 59, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 44 × 12 ft
🚐 60, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 47 × 12 ft
🚐 61, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 48 × 12 ft
🚐 62, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 47 × 12 ft
🚐 63, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 49 × 12 ft
🚐 64, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 47 × 12 ft
🚐 65, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 45 × 12 ft
🚐 66, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 46 × 12 ft
🚐 67, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 44 × 12 ft
🚐 68, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 46 × 12 ft
🚐 69, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 46 × 12 ft
🚐 70, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 45 × 12 ft
🚐 71, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 46 × 12 ft
🚐 72, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 45 × 12 ft
⛺ T01, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ T02, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T03, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Full shade
⛺ T04, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T05, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T06, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T07, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T08, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ T09, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T10, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T11, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T12, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews

537 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Left Tailrace Campground offers a beautiful and clean environment with spacious waterfront sites and stunning views, making it a favorite among campers. The friendly and attentive staff, along with well-maintained facilities, contribute to a positive experience. While some visitors noted occasional issues with site cleanliness and nearby vehicle activity, the overall feedback emphasizes a welcoming atmosphere and a strong desire to return.

Based on guest feedback

4.5

Overall rating

Based on 537 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 67.6% (363)
4 stars 23.5% (126)
3 stars 5.4% (29)
2 stars 3.0% (16)
1 star 0.6% (3)

Showing 537 reviews

Josh K

Verified

July 30, 2021 Stayed at: 20B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles

Campground was clean and pleasant, people in the check-in booth were considerate and accommodating. Not the most visually appealing campground in the world but enjoyable nonetheless.

Helpful

Robert R

Verified

August 4, 2021 Stayed at: 61, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72

One of the nicest coe parks we have stayed at. Lower sites are very close to the water. Spacious sites.

Helpful

Martha B

Verified

August 6, 2021 Stayed at: 01, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles

This is a beautiful campground with lots of trees and space between campers. We arrived close to dark and the camp hosts were very welcoming and helped us locate our spot. Highly recommend

Helpful

Amy V

Verified

August 7, 2021 Stayed at: 22A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles

Absolutely beautiful location and well kept campground.
Only 4 stars because of the boats allowed to park in the campground itself. It made it so challenging to maneuver the rv. We actually had to wait for someone to hook-up their boat and move it so we could get past when we arrived.

Helpful

Stan S

Verified

August 9, 2021 Stayed at: 14A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles

Nice location. Fishing was very good. Campground assistant hosts (Howard and Diane) were very helpful.
Fish cleaning station was just up-wind and was very aromatic.

May go back, but will definitely look at the other options.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Left Tailrace

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, Chamberlain, SD 57325 United States

Elevation: 416 ft

Getting There

From west bound I-90 take exit 265 at Chamberalin SD, turn right on to Highway 50 travel approximatly 16 mi, turn left on to BIA Highway 4, travel 8 mi to FT. Thompson SD, turn left on to highway 47 travel 3 mi then take a left at the Left Tailrac...

Nearest town

Chamberlain, SD - 26 mi

About 31 min to downtown

Policies & Rules

General

  • Summary of Campground Rules & Policies: All public-use of Corps of Engineers lands and waters are governed by Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).  Maximum length of Reservation: Each person and camping unit is limited to a 14 day stay in a 30 day period, 14 day stay 16 days away. Reference Title 36 Sec. 327.7(b). Standard Electric Campsites are limited to one (1) wheeled camping unit and one (1) tent. If there is no wheeled camping unit then two (2) tents are allowed. Tent-only campsites are limited to two (2) tents.  All motor vehicles are restricted to designated roadways only, off-road use is prohibited.  All motor vehicles parked at campsites are restricted to two (2) wheels on pavement and two (2) on grass. No All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs/UTVs), golf carts, or dirt bikes - unless licensed and considered street legal.  Pets are allowed, but must be kept on a leash of no more than six feet (6'). Fireworks are prohibited.  For more information, please call (605) 245-1800.
  • Firewood Alert! Don't Move Firewood: Due to the spread of invasive insects such as Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Help protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit DontMoveFirewood.org for further information.
  • Protect Your Waters! Attention Boaters, Paddlers and Anglers: Do your part to help stop the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) by remembering to always Clean, Drain, and Dry! Visit SDLeastWanted.com for more information. 
  • Want to know the latest happenings at Big Bend Dam? Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook at USACE Big Bend Dam for up-to-date information.Big Bend: Social Media 

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 7, 2026

Message us

Need help?

Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.

Message us

Replies within minutes

Explore Chamberlain, SD

Population: 2,588

Elevation: 1,411 ft

Chamberlain, SD

Weather & Conditions

Loading destination weather
US Army Corps of Engineers Logo
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers